Nilgai hunt

[flatwater bill]

It's been awhile since anyone posted a good "how to, where to" for Nilgai. Would like to combine some hog hunting. Ready to go for this year. Any current recommendations? Thanks............FWB

 

[gillettehunter]

Likely get several recommendations here but if not go over to the Texas hunting forum and look in their exotics forum. It has a few hunt reports but several requests like yours. The answers there should get you going.
Bruce

 

[Inline6]

@Red Leg has taken several. He can probably give you some good advice.

 

[Mauser3000]

Lomas Chicas Outfitters owned by Sam Isle. They guide free range on the Kennedy ranch south of Sarita TX. They are a first class operation and offer spot and stalk hunts. Their bull hunts are 3 days. They also offer cow hunts. I wrote up a hunt report from last year. I believe others here have hunted with them.

 

[SETH RINGER]

www.wildlifesystems.com PUTS ON A REAL GOOD HUNT.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I've taken two nilgai in extreme south Texas, on a private ranch. I think a nilgai hunt is the closest thing to an African PG hunt. The meat from a nilgai is also excellent. Bring a 300 WM or 338 WM.

A couple places I know about, where friends have hunted, are:

Texas Exotic and Deer Hunting Outfitter

Wildlife Systems takes hunting to the next level. We offer hunts for whitetail, mule deer, nilgai, pronghorn, and all types of exotics.

www.wildlifesystems.com

Types & Rates - King Ranch Hunting

King Ranch is the premier hunting destination for whitetail deer, nilgai, turkey, feral hog, javelina, and other game. King Ranch conducts its hunts in a free-range, low-fence, fair-chase environment, offering great opportunities for both experienced and novice hunters. As outlined below, we...

kingranchhunting.com

 

[flatwater bill]

Bruce, @Inline6 @Mauser3000 @SETH RINGER , thank you so much. I will chase down every one of these leads. And dang, @375 Ruger Fan they are a lot bigger than I had imagined. I might have to ask @Bob Nelson 35Whelen for a load recommendation for the mighty Whelen.....FWB

 

[SFRanger7GP]

I have been wanting to do one of these hunts for a long time. Question for those that have hunted nilgai. Are they really that tough? You talk to any of the guides, and they talk like a nilgai is wearing Level lV body armor. I always ask how much "tougher" they are than similar size African plains game and the standard response is "You hunted Africa? You should have no problem".

Do they get their tough reputation because of poor shooting, improper bullet placement (most deer hunters insist on shooting everything behind the shoulder) or improper bullets? Or are they similar to a wildebeest and too stubborn to cooperate and die without taking you on a tour of the property?

I am asking this because Mama wants to hunt one as well and would prefer to use her 275 or a 30-06. She has killed several gemsbok and zebra with those calibers as well as kudu, sable and wildebeest. All with one shot except for the wildebeest.

Safe hunting

 

[Inline6]

I have been wanting to do one of these hunts for a long time. Question for those that have hunted nilgai. Are they really that tough? You talk to any of the guides, and they talk like a nilgai is wearing Level lV body armor. I always ask how much "tougher" they are than similar size African plains game and the standard response is "You hunted Africa? You should have no problem".

Do they get their tough reputation because of poor shooting, improper bullet placement (most deer hunters insist on shooting everything behind the shoulder) or improper bullets? Or are they similar to a wildebeest and too stubborn to cooperate and die without taking you on a tour of the property?

I am asking this because Mama wants to hunt one as well and would prefer to use her 275 or a 30-06. She has killed several gemsbok and zebra with those calibers as well as kudu, sable and wildebeest. All with one shot except for the wildebeest.

Safe hunting

Two we have taken, one was a neck shot with a 6.5CM, the other was a heart shot with a 300WM. Animals have something we cannot measure, that is the will to live. Some are dead, you just have to convince them of it.

IMHO a 30-06 with a well constructed bullet will get the job done. Like anything else, shot placement is key.

 

[Trophyhunter01]

You can also book with the King Ranch directly Via their website. Nilgai are a fun hunt to spot and stalk. They are a tough and big animal but placement and bullet construction are key. Similar to African game the vitals are more forward and covered by the shoulder area And hide is thick.

 

[Mauser3000]

I have been wanting to do one of these hunts for a long time. Question for those that have hunted nilgai. Are they really that tough? You talk to any of the guides, and they talk like a nilgai is wearing Level lV body armor. I always ask how much "tougher" they are than similar size African plains game and the standard response is "You hunted Africa? You should have no problem".

Do they get their tough reputation because of poor shooting, improper bullet placement (most deer hunters insist on shooting everything behind the shoulder) or improper bullets? Or are they similar to a wildebeest and too stubborn to cooperate and die without taking you on a tour of the property?

I am asking this because Mama wants to hunt one as well and would prefer to use her 275 or a 30-06. She has killed several gemsbok and zebra with those calibers as well as kudu, sable and wildebeest. All with one shot except for the wildebeest.

Safe hunting

Nilgai have what is called a dermal shield which is essentially thick hide and cartilage to protect their vital organs from fighting with their horns. They are tough animals but like anything, bullet construction and shot placement are paramount. Randy brooks of Barnes bullets tested his early X and TSX bullets on Nilgai for penetration. Like most African game, their vitals are forward in the chest cavity behind the shoulder, so your bullet needs to be Able to break the shoulders in a broad side shot. I’ve witnessed both a 7mm rem mag with 150 grain TTSX and 300 Norma with 208 LRX cleanly take Nilgai. The key is to keep your shots at reasonable ranges. It’s easy for people to snipe at them in open country. I would think a .270 or 30-06 with a monolithic bullet would be a safe minimum if she is comfortable with the rifle.

 

[Red Leg]

I have been wanting to do one of these hunts for a long time. Question for those that have hunted nilgai. Are they really that tough? You talk to any of the guides, and they talk like a nilgai is wearing Level lV body armor. I always ask how much "tougher" they are than similar size African plains game and the standard response is "You hunted Africa? You should have no problem".

Do they get their tough reputation because of poor shooting, improper bullet placement (most deer hunters insist on shooting everything behind the shoulder) or improper bullets? Or are they similar to a wildebeest and too stubborn to cooperate and die without taking you on a tour of the property?

I am asking this because Mama wants to hunt one as well and would prefer to use her 275 or a 30-06. She has killed several gemsbok and zebra with those calibers as well as kudu, sable and wildebeest. All with one shot except for the wildebeest.

Safe hunting

Many say the same about African game. Like most African and Asian antelope, the heart lung area is somewhat more forward than a deer. Hit a nilgai or blue wildebeest just a hair too far back or high behind the shoulder, and he can go a very long way. Nor will there be a San tracker at the ready to follow him for a mile or more. Always keep hitting him until he is down.

Avoid the outfitters offering thermal night hunts. It is perfectly legal, but you are depriving yourself of a great spot and stalk opportunity at one of our really interesting game animals. They also are a far different “challenge” behind a game fence. King Ranch is a great place to hunt them.

 

[Green Chile]

We hunted them on King ranch. They are really tough. I smashed the heart on this one with a 200 grain 7mm at 3000 fps at about 140 yards…and he spun and left like I had missed. We searched a long time and he had fallen in a little hole and we thought we lost him. He left no blood trail and there was no exit. My friend lost his hard hit nilgai the same day. We never found it. I shot from sticks and would say get to a rest if you can and be sure to listen the guide’s advice on shot placement. They are NOT built like our deer. I would not take a moving shot on an unwounded nilgai. You’ve been warned.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Thanks to everyone or sharing your experiences. You all pretty much confirmed my thoughts. Mama will use my Highland Stalker in 30-06 with a 180gr Barnes TTSX. She has dropped a lot of game with one shot using that combo. I will use my 416 Rigby because I can. Bullet will be a 400gr Barnes or North Fork bullet.

Safe hunting

 

[Green Chile]

There ya go...having been once and seen 2 hit...my next time would be with 375 or 416. Not required but I would want to chop a big freaking hole in one. Tough animals.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Thanks to everyone or sharing your experiences. You all pretty much confirmed my thoughts. Mama will use my Highland Stalker in 30-06 with a 180gr Barnes TTSX. She has dropped a lot of game with one shot using that combo. I will use my 416 Rigby because I can. Bullet will be a 400gr Barnes or North Fork bullet.

Safe hunting

Double check wherever you book your nilgai hunt. A lot of places have a 300 WM as a minimum requirement. If your wife doesn't like going over a 30-06, consider a reduced load in a larger caliber or a suppressed rifle. My daughter fires 7mm RM with hot loads and suppressed and it's half the normal recoil and report. A good bullet, such as Swift A Frame, is also recommended.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bruce, @Inline6 @Mauser3000 @SETH RINGER , thank you so much. I will chase down every one of these leads. And dang, @375 Ruger Fan they are a lot bigger than I had imagined. I might have to ask @Bob Nelson 35Whelen for a load recommendation for the mighty Whelen.....FWB

@flatwater bill
Just load up a nice 250gn Speer with a healthy dose of cfe223 and go have fun.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

We hunted them on King ranch. They are really tough. I smashed the heart on this one with a 200 grain 7mm at 3000 fps at about 140 yards…and he spun and left like I had missed. We searched a long time and he had fallen in a little hole and we thought we lost him. He left no blood trail and there was no exit. My friend lost his hard hit nilgai the same day. We never found it. I shot from sticks and would say get to a rest if you can and be sure to listen the guide’s advice on shot placement. They are NOT built like our deer. I would not take a moving shot on an unwounded nilgai. You’ve been warned.


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@Green Chile
Where do you get 200gn 7mm projectiles. They would require one fast twist rate to stabilise.
Bob

 

[Green Chile]

Bergers...actually it's 195 grains and a 1:8 twist. Shoots 1/4 MOA way out there if I can call the wind right.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

@flatwaterbill: have you decided on a place and what rifle you will use?

Safe hunting